Hello, I have been trying to find a book for many years that my fifth grade teacher used to read to us. I’m guessing it was circa 1959. The basic plot is this: in a small town, two boys (perhaps boy scouts) went to the wealthiest man in tow (perhaps an old curmudgeon) to ask for a small portion of forest land to have for a scout camp. Apparently this man owned most of the land around. He declined, but challenged the boys to prove their worth by going out into the forest without clothes or any tools etc., and live off the land for a period of time (can’t recall). The story was about their adventures, which centered on their discovering a group of criminals (either bootleggers or thieves, not certain). They foil these criminals, survive and win over the old man, who then donates the land. Basically, that’s the best of my memories.

I’ve tried to locate this book through other web sites but have never been successful. I’d be thrilled if you could identify this book.